Theme Verse: Luke 2:21 “After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
Introduction
On the first day of the year, we are reminded of the profound significance of the name of Jesus, which is celebrated during the Church's observance of His Circumcision and Naming. This day, marking the eighth day after His birth, invites us to reflect on the gift of salvation that His name embodies.
One day a train struggled through a heavy snowstorm. A woman with her baby planned to get off at a small station where her husband was waiting. She repeatedly reminded the brakeman, “Don’t forget me!” When the train stopped briefly, a fellow traveller told her, “This is your stop.” Trusting him, she stepped off into the storm. Later, the brakeman asked, “Where’s the woman?” “She got off at the last stop,” the traveller replied. Horrified, the brakeman said, “That wasn’t a station. We stopped because of engine trouble. She’s in danger!” Volunteers rushed back and found her frozen in the snow, her baby alive and protected in her arms. Trusting the wrong voice, she stepped off into the storm, ultimately leading her to death. Tragically, she followed a path that did not lead her to safety, illustrating the importance of discernment in our journey.
Similarly, as we enter this new year, we are called to recognize the name of Jesus as our true guide. The angel of the Lord announced to Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). This name, meaning "the Lord is salvation," signifies that Jesus is not just a guide but the very embodiment of salvation itself. Just as the woman needed to follow the right voice to find her way home, we too must heed the call of Jesus, who alone can lead us to eternal life.
In a world filled with competing voices and distractions, violence and hatred, the name of Jesus stands as a beacon of hope and truth. It reminds us that, unlike the traveller who misled the woman, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). As we embark on this new year, let us commit to following His voice, trusting in His name, and embracing the salvation He offers. In doing so, we ensure that we are not lost in the storms of life but are safely guided home by the one who is our Savior. As we move in the journey of faith, let us explore the name of Jesus which is above all names.
(a) Identity in the Name of Jesus
Names in the Bible often carry deep significance, revealing identity, character, or purpose. Adam's name means "man" or "earth," reflecting his creation from dust, while Eve's name, meaning "life" or "living," signifies her role as the mother of all living. Similarly, Abraham was renamed from Abram ("exalted father") to Abraham ("father of many nations") to reflect God's covenant with him. Jacob, whose name meant "deceiver," was renamed Israel ("he struggles with God") after wrestling with God. But in Jesus Christ, we find a name and identity unparalleled in history—a name that not only saves but transforms those who follow Him.
With the coming of Jesus, humanity has received a new identity. In the New Testament, there were others named "Jesus," but none could compare to Jesus of Nazareth. For instance, Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, was a false prophet and sorcerer encountered by Paul on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12). He used his name to mislead and deceive, opposing the truth of God. Another individual, Jesus Justus, mentioned in Colossians 4:11, was a faithful companion of the Apostle Paul. Despite their shared name, neither Bar-Jesus nor Jesus Justus had the unique identity or mission as of Jesus of Nazareth. It is Jesus of Nazareth, born over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, gives true identity to those who honor His name. Through Him, we are transformed and given a new purpose found in His name.
In new identity, believers are given a new sense of self shaped by God’s love and purpose. The transformation of Saul to Paul is one of the most powerful examples of attaining new identity in the New Testament. Saul, a Pharisee and zealous Jew from Tarsus, initially persecuted Christians, viewing them as a threat to Judaism (Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-2). However, on the road to Damascus, Saul encountered Jesus, who asked, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:3-6). This encounter gave him a new identity, and Saul became Paul. The name "Saul," a Hebrew name honoring Israel's first king, reflected his Jewish heritage and pride. After his encounter with Jesus, he adopted the name "Paul," a Roman name meaning "small" or "humble," aligning with his mission to the Gentiles and his Roman citizenship (Acts 13:9). The name itself describes the paradigm shift in his mission. After getting this new identity in Jesus Christ, Paul became ready to die “for the name of Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13)
(b) Salvation in the Name of Jesus
What makes Christianity different from other religions and beliefs? In Christianity, God became man in Jesus Christ to bring salvation to humankind. He never came as a social or economic reformer, but as the Savior of the world. He did not merely address the symptoms of humanity’s brokenness but tackled its root cause—sin. As Matthew 1:21 declares, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
The name “Jesus” reveals God’s plan for the salvation of the whole world. Humanity, along with the rest of creation, was placed under a curse because of original sin. Isaiah 9:2-4 vividly describes the spiritual condition of humankind as being in darkness, death, and slavery. But God’s response to this bleak situation was the best gift He could offer—a Savior in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. The Hebrew word for salvation, Yeshuah, is closely associated with God’s deliverance of His people from physical and spiritual oppression. The name "Jesus" itself, derived from the Greek Iēsous and the Hebrew Yeshua or Yehoshua, means "Yahweh is salvation." This name embodies Jesus’ mission and identity as the one sent to rescue humanity from sin and its consequences. When Simeon saw the infant Jesus, he declared in Luke 2:29-32 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Simeon's words highlight the peace and satisfaction that salvation brings through Jesus—a light to those in spiritual darkness and hope to all nations.
Jesus’ role as Savior is unparalleled and unique. While other individuals in the New Testament shared the name "Jesus," such as Bar-Jesus or Jesus Justus, only Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled God’s divine plan of salvation. According to Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Unlike others, Jesus of Nazareth possessed the fullness of divine nature, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s redemption through His death and resurrection.
The name "Jesus" was divinely given, reflecting His unique mission. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Similarly, the angel appeared to Joseph, saying, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This naming carried profound significance, as the name "Jesus" (Yeshua) means "The Lord is salvation." Furthermore, He was foretold as Emmanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), signifying His divine identity and His mission to dwell among and redeem His people.
On a dark and stormy night, a child, lost in the streets, cried in distress. A policeman gave the child directions home but left him confused. Then a kind man approached, saying, “just come with me.” He held the child's hand, wrapped a coat around him, and escorted him to his home. The first man showed the way; the second man became the way. Likewise, Jesus doesn’t merely show us the way to salvation—He is the Way. As He declared in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus not only illuminates the path to eternal life but personally ensures that those who call on His name will be saved (Joel 2:32). His uniqueness lies in this divine role: He is both the gift of salvation and the one who accomplishes it for all who believe.
(c) Power and Authority in the Name of Jesus
The name of Jesus carries unparalleled power and authority because it embodies the very presence of God. Unlike Bar-Jesus (Elymas) or Jesus Justus, in whose names God’s presence does not dwell, Jesus of Nazareth is Emmanuel—“God with us”—as prophesied in Matthew 1:22-23. Wherever the name of Jesus is invoked in faith, His presence becomes tangible. As He promised in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” His assurance in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” reminds us of His perpetual presence and power in the lives of His followers.
The cries of humanity expressed in the Pavamana Mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) also find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The longing to be led “from the unreal to the real” (asato ma sadgamaya) is answered in Jesus, who declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He leads us out of the illusions of sin and self-deception into the reality of God’s truth, setting us free (John 8:32). Likewise, the plea to be led “from darkness to light” (tamaso ma jyotirgamaya) is fulfilled as Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). By illuminating hearts and minds with the knowledge of God’s glory (2 Corinthians 4:6), He dispels spiritual ignorance and brings hope and enlightenment. Finally, the cry for deliverance “from death to immortality” (mrtyor-ma amrtam gamaya) is answered in Jesus, who assures us, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25-26). Through His resurrection, Jesus conquers death and offers eternal life to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:54-55), making Him the ultimate answer to humanity’s ancient prayers.
Many Christians, however, fail to experience the power in Jesus’ name because they hesitate to proclaim it boldly. Fear or hesitation diminishes their spiritual authority, as warned in Matthew 10:33: “But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” In contrast, the early Church boldly exercised the authority of Jesus’ name. In Acts 3:1-9, Peter and John encountered a lame man at the temple gate. Instead of offering material help, Peter declared, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Immediately, the man was healed, walking and leaping with joy. This miraculous healing demonstrates the transformative power in Jesus’ name, which brings physical and spiritual restoration to those who believe.
Christians are called to exercise their authority in Christ by claiming the promises associated with His name. Jesus Himself said in John 14:13-14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Similarly, John 16:23-24 assures believers of answered prayers and joy when requests are made in His name. Ultimately, the authority of Jesus’ name extends to all creation, as Philippians 2:10-11 proclaims: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.” This divine authority challenges every believer to boldly proclaim His name and walk in the power it provides, transforming lives and glorifying God.
Sadhu Sundar Singh viewed the name of Jesus as the source of his calling, strength, and joy, even in suffering. He believed that through Jesus' name, he found purpose and endurance in facing hardships. For him, the name of Jesus wasn't just about salvation, but also the power to sustain and transform trials into opportunities to glorify God. He said,
I thank God that He has chosen unworthy me in the days of my youth that I may spend the days of my strength in His service. Even before baptism my prayer to God was that He should show me His ways, and so He, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, did show Himself to me, and called me to serve Him as a sadhu and to preach His holy Name. Now although I have suffered hunger, thirst, cold, heat, imprisonment, maledictions, infirmities, persecutions, and innumerable evils, yet I thank and bless His holy Name that through His grace my heart is ever full of joy. From my ten years’ experience I can unhesitatingly say that the Cross bears those who bear the Cross.
(d) Confidence in the Name of Jesus
The name of Jesus inspires unshakable confidence, as Scripture assures us: “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame” (Romans 10:11). Trusting in His name gives believers boldness to face life’s challenges. God has given His Son as the foundation of our trust, a truth beautifully exemplified in Mary’s response to the angel’s message. When the Good News came to her, Mary placed her confidence in God’s Word, saying “Yes” to Him and “No” to the world. Her trust in God allowed her to become the mother of Jesus, embracing His plan with unwavering faith.
The Old Testament story of David and Goliath beautifully illustrates the confidence that comes from trusting in God's name, which prefigures the confidence believers have in the name of Jesus. When David confronted the giant Goliath, he boldly declared in 1 Samuel 17:45, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” David’s confidence was not in his own strength but in the power of God's name, which enabled him to overcome the formidable giant. This story foreshadows the ultimate power in the name of Jesus for New Testament believers. In the New Testament, Acts 3:16 shows Peter demonstrating this confidence when he declares the healing power in Jesus' name: “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.” Similarly, Proverbs 18:10 reminds us that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Just as David found confidence in God's name, we can find refuge and strength in the name of Jesus, trusting that it brings victory, healing, and protection in our lives.
The story of the 19th-century tightrope walker Charles Blondin and his son further illustrates the depth of trust that comes from confidence in a relationship. Blondin was famous for crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope, once challenged his audience to believe in his ability to carry someone on his shoulders across the rope. While the crowd hesitated, his young son boldly volunteered. With absolute trust in his father, the boy climbed onto Blondin’s shoulders, and together they crossed the perilous expanse. This remarkable moment demonstrates that true faith involves not just belief but also the willingness to entrust oneself fully to the one in whom we place our confidence. This confidence is echoed in Psalm 34:5: “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
(e) Transformation in the Name of Jesus
The name of Jesus brings profound transformation into the lives of those who encounter Him. As the prophet Joel declared, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions”(Joel 2:28), Jesus brings renewal, granting a new vision, purpose, and relationship with God. This transformation is seen throughout the Scriptures in various encounters with Jesus. For example, the Samaritan woman at the well had a life-changing encounter with Jesus, and she became the first preacher to bring other Samaritans to His feet (John 4). Similarly, Zacchaeus, after meeting Jesus, was transformed from a greedy tax collector to a man willing to give away his wealth in repentance (Luke 19). Mary Magdalene, delivered by Jesus from seven demons, experienced such a radical transformation that she became a devoted follower and the first to witness and proclaim His resurrection (Luke 8:2; John 20:11-18). The Apostle Paul’s life was completely turned around after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, he became one of the greatest apostles, fervently spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-22). Romans 5:5 reminds us that this transformation is empowered by God’s love, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit: “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
The name of Jesus brings profound transformation, changing not only our actions but also our hearts, perspectives, and destinies. This transformation is beautifully illustrated through an agnostic man’s visit to an island. Expecting to find a backward and primitive society, where the people lived in semi-naked conditions and spoke only their local language, he was surprised to find a thriving community with modern buildings and a high standard of living. Curious, he met with the chief of the tribe and asked how such progress was achieved.
To his shock, the chief attributed the transformation to the work of missionaries. Upset by this, the agnostic man expressed his disapproval, accusing the missionaries of eroding the tribe’s culture and traditions. However, the chief calmly responded, "If you had come here before the missionaries arrived, you would have been sacrificed to our gods. We would have roasted you alive and eaten you. But now, give thanks to God that you came after the missionaries." The missionaries, through the name of Jesus, had brought about a profound change in their lives, transforming a society of fear and violence into one of peace, progress, and hope.
This story reflects the incredible transformation that the name of Jesus brings into the lives of individuals and communities. Just as the tribe experienced a dramatic shift from barbarism to civilization, those who encounter Jesus are radically changed. From fear to faith, from death to life, the name of Jesus offers a transformation that renews us, aligning us with God’s purpose for our lives.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our exploration of the significance of the name of Jesus, we are reminded of the profound impact it has on our lives and the world around us. The name of Jesus, meaning "the Lord is salvation," encapsulates the essence of His mission and the hope He brings to humanity. In this new year, we are called to reflect on our identity in Christ and the transformative power that comes from trusting in His name.
Throughout Scripture, we see the authority and presence of Jesus manifesting in miraculous ways, from the healing of the lame man by Peter to the bold declarations of faith by believers throughout history. Just as David faced Goliath with confidence in God's name, we too can approach life's challenges with the assurance that Jesus is our strength and refuge.
As we embark on this new year, let us commit to honoring the name of Jesus in our lives, embracing the salvation He offers, and sharing the hope of His name with others. Sadhu Sundar Singh’s had a deep determination to go to those places where Christ was not named. That’s how he landed into Tibet. May we walk boldly in faith, trusting that through Jesus, we are not only transformed but also empowered to make a difference in our communities and beyond. In doing so, we fulfill our purpose as followers of Christ, bringing glory to God and reflecting His love to a world in need.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Richmond, serves as the Executive Director, Caleb Institute, Gurugram; Hon. Secretary, EFI-Theological Commission and Vice-Chairman, Evangelical Church of God.
